IBM Z: Technical Overview of HW and SW Mainframe Evolution (ES89G)

After completing this course, you will be able to :

• Describe and categorize the various servers that are commonly found in data centers
• Identify and describe workloads that are commonly used on mainframes and distributed servers
• Describe a typical data center with multiple server platforms:
  • Why so many servers
  • Current concerns and considerations
  • Potential future actions
• Identify when the first IBM general purpose mainframe was introduced
• Describe several key IT and mainframe strategies introduced in the 2000s
• Identify current and future data center trends
• Describe why smarter systems are required to meet future requirements
• Introduce the zEnterprise System and describe how it can apply to current and future business requirements
• Describe the basic functions, characteristics, and terminology of System z servers
• Identify the number of CPs and specialty processors available to various System z servers
• List relative performance of recent System z servers as compared to previous servers
• Identify and list IBM mainframe servers supporting multiple channel subsystems and z/Architecture
• Identify key components of the zEnterprise System and their purpose
• Describe and compare various System z components:
  • Frame layout and cage usage
  • Server models, books, memory, and cache structure
  • Performance and millions of service units (MSUs)
• Describe and compare I/O infrastructure and processor usage across zEC12 to z10 mainframes
• I/O cages, drawers, and technology used
• PU, cache, and book fan-out connectivity
• Describe how and what System z physical components are used when processing instructions and performing an I/O operation
• Identify System z Capacity on Demand (CoD) options available for planned and unplanned outages
• Describe the CoD provisioning architecture and which servers can use it
• Describe how logical partitioning is used, resource assignments and initialization activities
• Describe mainframe channels, usage, and CHPID assignments
• Describe the purpose and use of HCD
• Identify mainframe operating systems and their supported mainframe servers:
  • Describe how the mainframe OS evolved from the System 360 servers to the current models
  • List some of the major enhancements provided by the recent z/OS versions and to what servers they apply
  • List z/OS coexistence and release support strategy
  • Describe the various queues that are used to dispatch work
• Describe the difference between a base and Parallel Sysplex
  • List Parallel Sysplex main characteristics
  • Describe the purpose and use of the coupling facility
  • Identify the difference between the following sysplex configurations (MULTISYSTEM, MONOPLEX, and XCFLOCAL)
• Identify and describe the major enhancements provided by the System z software and hardware platform:
  • 64-bit architecture, IRD, HiperSockets, MLCSS, MIDAW
  • Multiple subchannel sets, zHPF, CPM, HiperDispatch, zDAC
  • TEF, RI, DAT2, Flash Express, zAware, and autonomic computing
• Identify processor architectural modes and their supported addressing implementations:
  • Bimodal, trimodal, address spaces, virtual addressing, and storage usage
• Describe the various queues that are used to dispatch work
• Use system commands to display active address spaces and identify their current status
• Describe the high level interaction between z/OS, CSS and I/O devices during I/O processing
• Describe the role of the HMC and SE for System z servers
• Identify and change the HMC user interface style
• Identify CPC and image objects usage on the HMC
• Build and customize user-defined groups
• Identify profile types, usage and assign profiles to objects
• Use the Details window to determine object status and assignments
• Describe how and why unacceptable status conditions and hardware messages are presented to the HMC
• Identify the HMC activation process for CPCs and images
• Send messages to the operating system